Leap-The-Dips
Encyclopedia
Leap-The-Dips is the world's oldest operating wooden roller coaster
and North America
's last surviving side friction roller coaster
. It is located at Lakemont Park
in Altoona, Pennsylvania
and was built in 1902 by the E. Joy Morris Company. Leap-the-Dips operated until 1985, when it closed due to disrepair. A fund-raising campaign led to a restoration starting in 1997 and a reopening on Memorial Day
1999.
Although the ride is quite tame by today's standards, being only 41 ft (12.5 m) in height and having an average speed of 10 mph (16 km/h), Leap-The-Dips is considered a quite fun (and of course nostalgic
) ride. Several riders report that the rear wheels of cars were once able to leave the track at the crest of some dips.
The Leap-The-Dips is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
and in 1996 was designated a National Historic Landmark
. It is also an American Coaster Enthusiasts
Coaster Classic and Coaster Landmark.
Wooden roller coaster
A wooden roller coaster is most often classified as a roller coaster with laminated steel running rails overlaid upon a wooden track. Occasionally, the structure may be made out of a steel lattice or truss, but the ride remains classified as a wooden roller coaster due to the track design...
and North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
's last surviving side friction roller coaster
Side friction roller coaster
A side friction roller coaster is an early roller coaster design that does not have an extra set of wheels under the track to prevent cars from becoming airborne. Before the invention of up-stop wheels, coaster cars were built to run in a trough, with wheels under the car and side plates to help...
. It is located at Lakemont Park
Lakemont Park
Lakemont Park, located in Altoona, Pennsylvania, houses the world's oldest-surviving roller coaster, the Leap-The-Dips. The park opened in 1894 as a trolley park and became an amusement park in the summer of 1899. It is the 8th oldest in the United States...
in Altoona, Pennsylvania
Altoona, Pennsylvania
-History:A major railroad town, Altoona was founded by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1849 as the site for a shop complex. Altoona was incorporated as a borough on February 6, 1854, and as a city under legislation approved on April 3, 1867, and February 8, 1868...
and was built in 1902 by the E. Joy Morris Company. Leap-the-Dips operated until 1985, when it closed due to disrepair. A fund-raising campaign led to a restoration starting in 1997 and a reopening on Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
1999.
Although the ride is quite tame by today's standards, being only 41 ft (12.5 m) in height and having an average speed of 10 mph (16 km/h), Leap-The-Dips is considered a quite fun (and of course nostalgic
Nostalgia
The term nostalgia describes a yearning for the past, often in idealized form.The word is a learned formation of a Greek compound, consisting of , meaning "returning home", a Homeric word, and , meaning "pain, ache"...
) ride. Several riders report that the rear wheels of cars were once able to leave the track at the crest of some dips.
The Leap-The-Dips is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
and in 1996 was designated a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
. It is also an American Coaster Enthusiasts
American Coaster Enthusiasts
The American Coaster Enthusiasts is an organization dedicated to the enjoyment and preservation of roller coasters. Membership is open to anyone with payment of yearly dues, and membership benefits may include discounted admission to certain amusement parks...
Coaster Classic and Coaster Landmark.